My own intuition is that as these reactionary measures multiply, the pounds/square inch under the lid of the pressure cooker will inexorably rise. I am reviewing the history of Russia from Nicholas I to Nicky II these days, and seeing some rather eerie resemblances, though of course I don't want to suggest any close historical parallels. But people's heating and light bills and health care costs can only get so high before they begin to notice something, no?
I was particularly struck by this sentence about the pre-Crimean-War situation in Gregory L. Freeze's chapter, "Reform and Counter Reform, 1855-1890," in the book he edited, _Russia: A History_ (Oxford UP), p. 171:
"Fear of uncontrolled social disorders, an unquestioning belief in the power and omniscience of bureaucracy [read: the Bush neo-con brain-trust], a smug assurance of Russia's [U.S.] military prowess despite its markedly un-Western [un-progressive] system and economic backwardness [Bush's screwy economic policies] -- all this encouraged the conceit that Russia [the U.S.] could be a great power *and* maintain its traditional social and political order." Then came the war ...
Jon Johanning // jjohanning at igc.org __________________________________ When I was a little boy, I had but a little wit, 'Tis a long time ago, and I have no more yet; Nor ever ever shall, until that I die, For the longer I live the more fool am I. -- Wit and Mirth, an Antidote against Melancholy (1684)